Foil feeder for printing or embossing machines



May 27, 1952 wA 2,598,323

Fo IL. FEEDER, FOR PRINTING 0R EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed Jan. 13, 1947 5ShOGiS-ShGGt l 8/ 79 77mm (/9) O O 7o 8 Y w E 0% 83 Q 1 Fan/[R .0 82 o Ig fi' 7$" 76 77 a Moron awe/WM Harald KIM/ gan" y 27, 1952 H. K. WAGAR2,598,323

' FOIL FEEDER FOR PRINTING 0R EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed Jan. 13, 1947 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Harald K Wa a1" A770 RN! Y y 1952 H. K. WAGAR2,598,323

FOIL FEEDER FOR PRINTING OR EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed Jan. 13, 1947 5Sheets-Sheet a IN V EN TOR.

0 Harald KIW'a ar 27, 1952 H. K. WAGAR 2,598,323

FOIL FEEDER FOR PRINTING 0R EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed Jan. 13, 1947 5Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Harald K Wa ar BY A r70 RNEY May 27, 1952 H. K.WAGAR 2,598,323

FOIL FEEDER FOR PRINTING 0R EMBOSSING MACHINES Filed Jan. 13, 1947 5Sheets-Sheet 5 mmvmn. Harold. K Wa ar BY ATTOAIVIY Patented May 27, 1952UNITED .S TATES FOIL FEEDER FOR 'PRINTIN G 0R i EMBO SSIN G MACHINES.Harold :Kenneth 'WagarQ-Takomafark, .Md.

.Application Januar-y 13, 1947, Serial Nof-Z2lfl42 (Clan 2-71--.-2A)

lz-claims.

1 .This'inventionrrelates to 'foil -feeders forrstamp- .aingsor-printing machines of that type in which oneor more gold,si1ver0r.other foil strips, tapes orzshee'ts carrying theifoil :metal are ,fedup :in

the "operation of the machine to arposition :01

positions for-coaction witha: printing or stamping die ,:or'zdies bymeans of which the: foil ma- "terial is-impressed and-applied to :abookeover or otherarticle" or surface to be printed or em- ;bossed withthe subject v matter :represented 13113 the ;die. or dies.

One ".object of the invention is qtox'provide :a ;feeder whereby .one or:more jfoil #strips :may .:be simultaneously and accurately and .quickly.rfed

tozprintingpry-stampingposition so-"that greater the .feeding :ranges ascircumstancesmay :rei! quire.

:Stillanother object of the invention is to provide a feeder which willsecurely engage and "feed .theioil'without allowing slack or cloggingvliableitorcauseibreakage of the 'foil or to :otherwise interfere withthe operation .of the machine.

Still another object of the invention issto, provide a feederzhavingoneor more sets of foil'feed rolls, eachpreferablycomprisinga knurled metaldriving roll and-a rubber surfaced roll driven thereby, together withdeflecting :and guiding means for positively deflecting the foil awayfrom the metal roll as it' emerges from betweenrithe gripping surfacesof the rolls and-guiding it-prop- .erly over the rubber ro11,- wherebytendency .of the foil to stick by cohesion and'staticattraction to themetal roll and causing choking-ofthe rolls and breakage of the foilwillbe efiectu'ally rpreven-ted.

Still-another object of the invention is to -provide novel time andelectrically controlled clutch vmeans and coacting stopping meanswhich-.are operative to quickly start the 'feeder for a-:workingcycleand stop it'at theend of the-working cycle.

Still anotherobjectzof' theinventionis to ;pr0

vide a :feeder which will instantly rstop Iii-l1 athe :event. that anyioreignobj e'ctrentersit and? tends toxclog fit,. therebypreventingginjnryiito the .machine.

:Still; anotherzobject :of theiinventionx-is ;to upro- -vide:;a feederzwherebyrav jgivemamount of work ,may' be :done in: less I :time wand.mith..-=greater efii- :ciency than isepossib'le WithOthEI'TfBGdBBSZ'iHIHSG, and which: may ibexapplied zaswaniattachmentritoconventional stamping machines.

With these and iother =objects sin wiew, -=which :will appear 'inithercourse of ithe -subjoined de- =scription,i-the invention consistsofithe'novel tea- -=tures:rof.- construction, combination andarrangement of :parts, ihereinafter r-fu'lly described and claimed, and:as shown in :the accompanying drawings; in which *Fig. 1 is a sideelevation of-aprinting or stamping machine-equipped with .zmy improvedfeeder attachment.

Fig. 112 is a top plan view of the deeder with top plate removed'andwith -parts "broken away and :other-par'ts appearing in section-tobetter disclose the construction.

Fig. .3 is a :v iew in "side elevation of the feeder on anenlarged scaleshowing" the rackan'd pinion motion transmitters in theirnormal or'retracted positions.

Figs-4; 5, 6 and 7' are vertical longitudinal "sections throughthefeeder taken, respectively, on

Fig. *8 is a verticaltransverse section through oneside' or.the;fee'der' frame and ;a;portion .of the transmission shaft, showingthe starting and stopping clutch and cam devices.

"Fi xaisacross-section on thelinefi-fl of Fig. 10. is aviewincsideelevationandpartially in section of one of .the rack and @pinion'moticntransmitting devices.

Fig. v-11 issasection online H.-.ll of oEig. 12 showing. the one-wayclutch connection between thedrive pinion .of the rack and piniommo'tiontransmitting device and the feed roller driven thereby.

Fig. l-2isa-section takenonthe line I'2-- l--2 of Fig. 1-0.

Fig. 13--is a-. detail section on-line l3-l3of Fi 1-0.

14 is a diagrammaticyiew of the power and control circuit :andpartsarranged :therein.

:F ig. :15 is 1a. section through the ,main ;-dr-ive :pulley; showingtheemaindrive shaft andrpi-nion 3 and the ball release clutch betweenthe pulley and shaft.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 1 looking toward the opposite side ofthe stamping machine and feeder.

Fig. 17 is a detail section on an enlarged scale taken on line ll-l'! ofFig. 7.

Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating variable movements of the foil stripswhich may be effected through variable throw motions of the rack andpinion motion transmitting devices.

Fig. 19 is a perspective of the double cam which controls the action ofthe locking plunger or detent and the micro-switch.

Fig. 20 is a view in elevation of a part of the feeder casing showingthe timer for periodically closing and opening the motor circuit.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, i represents a printingor stamping machine of a generally conventional type and having astationary die 2 and a printing bed or platen 3, vertically movabletoward and from the die in a printing action. In such action the platen,which supports the article which is to be printed or embossed, movesupwardly to raise i the article and foil to printing position wherebythe foil is pressed against the printing face of the die which impressesthe foil, the impressed portion of the foil being separated from thefoil strip and adhesively applied to the article, after which the platenmoves downwardly to retracted position to release the article: forremoval and the foil for a feed action to bring a new portion of thefoil into stamping position and in readiness for arepetition of theabove described stamping operation. The stamping machine, as stated, maybe of any conventional type and operated in any suitable manner. It isnot shown in detail and is only conventionally shown for the purpose ofillustrating the application of my improved feeder thereto, as, exceptfor its mode of operation in connection with and upon the foil suppliedto it by the feeder, its particular construction is immaterial andmerely representative of one of various makes of stamping machines towhich the feeder may be applied.

The feeder, generally indicated at i, is illustrated in the form of anattachment to the printing machine, although it is to be understood thatit may, if desired, be built into a stamping machine as a component partof the machine.

As shown, the feeder 4 comprises a casing of generally oblong form inplan and including side walls 5 and 6, an inner end wall I, and a topwall 8, said side walls and the top wall 5 having sloping outer endportions 9 and ID, the latter closing the upper portion of the outer endof the casing. A portion of the wall 8 is cut away or recessed as shownat H to receive a bed plate 12 supporting an electric motor 13 and aninstru ment board it having plug in connections i 5, I6 and IT, totheterminals of which are connected conductors of an electriccontrolling circuit generally indicated at S8 in Fig. 14. Theconnections [5, l6 and I! are respectively adapted for the engagementtherewith of coacting connectors of conductor cords or leads i5, 16' andH extending from a source of power (current supply), from the motor I3and from a timer. The timer may consist of a micro-switch member 19adapted to be periodically opened and closed by a contact element 2E3 onor actuated by a suitable part of the running gear of the stampingpress, whereby on each printing cycle of the press the circuit 18 willbe periodically opened and closed.

in l

The feeder is suitably attached at its end 1 to one end 2! of the frameor casing of the press above the level of the bed plate 3 so as to bedisposed in proper position to feed the foil strip or stripslongitudinally of the frame and between the bed plate and die for theaction of the die thereon.

Arranged at the opposite end 22 of the press is a support 23 in whichare journaled a plurality of supply spools or rolls a, b and c on whichalike number of foil strips, sheets or tapes (1, b, c are wound and fromwhich the strips are extended downwardly over guide rolls d, thencehorizontally over the platen 3 to guide rolls (1', and thence upwardlyto set-s of gripping and feed rolls mounted in the feeder and in theoperation of which the foil strips are drawn or pulled forwardly thesame or different distance on each feed motion, as required, to bringthem in stamping position. In the present instance, the feeder is shownas equipped with sets of supply and feed rolls for feeding a singlestrip or two or three foil strips at a time, although in practice thestructural organization may be designed to feed more or less than threestrips according to the use to which the machine is to be put.

The sets of gripping and feed rolls are arranged in properly spacedrotation in the casing of the feeder, and each set comprises a knurledor serrated drive roll 24 and coacting pressure and drive roll 25. Theroll 2 is preferably made of metal and is rotatable on a fixed axis,said roll having a spindle 26 at one end journaled in the wall 5 and aspindle 21 at its opposite end journaled in the wall 6 and extendingoutwardly therethrough. The roll 25 is preferably a rubber surfaced rollarranged to yieldingly press the foil against the surface of the roll24, whereby the foil is gripped for a feed action sufficiently tight toprevent slippage. The rolls are coupled at their ends adjacent the wall6 by gears 28 and 28' to rotate in unison at the same peripheral speed.Roll 25 is journaled at its ends in a bracket embodying spaced arms 29pivoted at 29' to the walls 5 and 6 for swinging adjustment of the roll25 toward and from the roll 24, said arms being connected by an upperarcuately curved or hood shaped deflector plate 3| and an outeroutwardly and downwardly inclined deflector or guide plate 32. The lowerends 30 of these arms project below their pivots to form counterweightsand handles for convenience in moving the roll 25 away from the roll 24to release foil in case the foil is started in the wrong place. Springs3 i arranged between the forward portions of the bracket arms and seatblocks 32' cooperate with the counterweights to overcome this tendencyand to cause the roll to press the foil with just sufficient pressureagainst the roll 24'. to cause the foil to be gripped without injury butfor a positive feed motion during a feed action of the rolls and apositive holding action when the rolls are at rest. The rolls operate topull or draw the foil forwardly when they are in motion, the foilpassing between them and beneath the deflector 3| and downwardly andoutwardly over the guide plate 32. The function of the curved deflector3! is to guide the foil as it issues from the roll toward the guideplate 32, by which further contact of the foil with the rolls beyond thegripping point is prevented. The tendency of the foil as it passesbeyond the gripping portions of the rolls is to follow along and clingby cohesion and static attraction to the surface of. the roll 24, which,if allowed, would cause an accumulation of foil in itheregicntofrtheripping 1-point a d :elosein aof ethehrollsi iwithi gliabilityrofxstcnpage at thevieeder rand breakage-hf :the delicate foil endlessef time zgrequitedto remedyithe diflicu1ty;::aswelliasqviaste ioffoil."IEhedeflectors overcome this subjection riandzallcw rapidfeed motion toincreasezproduc- :tion.\withoutiliability,oiithe stoppage of-:and-p.osssibilitymf damage to, the-machine; or lwastezrof. foil.

:The mechanism :which directly "drives the :sets 20f". rcillszcomprises;motion transmitting :devices, --cne forweach setgmounteduonthesideiwallefisand ampere-ting toldrive the shaftsizflon eajchieedmot tionsand ;;at "r the: proper 'time period. Each-10f etheseflevicesrconsists.ofza rotary :crank 'wheel 01 :diski33nmounted on a shaft:34j0l11i12i18d2i1'1i13h6 nwallikanidbearing -lcar' otplatea3 5 "spacedthererafiromgsaid disk being :provided-incitsouter1rsursfaceawitnatsdiametrically disposedislot orguideaawayctifizimwhich :isslidably fitted a;.block.=3-'l .car- --;rving: a crank pin 38. This block .is adjustable :inzthefslofi to 'varythe radius or' Working -.th-rw vcfiithe crankpin .and .is adapted to besecured :in ;any:position ofi-adjustmentbymeans of a binding.::-screwi39. .To'. the ipinu38 is connected one end eof'ara'ckbar;:40,r;the ltOOthEd. portion ofuwhich is vslidable .:ina-iguide-sleeve 4 I :rockably:mourited on tithe journalendtZ'l of theassociated roll 2-4 provfleetingoutward through the wall 5. The teeth.iofzthebra'ck bar mesh with ;a drive pinion -42ii'looselyimountedonrsaidend .of. the rolll l. :iIhe :zpinion:isffixedto a. clutch. disk -3..als0 loosely .imountedon :the .end ofthe 'roll '24 :andwhich is :.-seated inial-recess 44' formed in theouter'face of .-a.-coactive clutch sdisk d i fixed to said end of theroll. (The ..disk .43 is ..provided .with peripheral '.=slots245:in.=which and between the same :andthe arimc lfi' f the recess 4'4 areseated balls or rolls A6. Theslots are of a form varying in depthhfromeone end to the. other and providing with -thejjballs awlL-knownone way type -01 clutch "for.- coupling-the. pinion fi and di'sk s-tothe diski44=on=an outward or working rotation of the rack barandpermitting the parts -42 and 43 to :run :free. in the oppositedirection of movement uor retraction of the rack bar. Thus on eachi-forwardunovement of the rackbar the rolls'fl aand'ii will be driven tofeed the toil a-predetermined distance forward, the distance beinggoverned by: the :position of the crank pin -38,

"while on: the return motion -ofthe rack. bar the y.

= rolls will remain idle' to grip the stationary foil during theperiodwhilethe stamping Work is being done. During the operation described thecrank disk makes one complete revolution and the rolls- 24, arerevolvedagiven number of times' to feed the foil a greater-er lessdistance "governed by the radial position of the -=pin -38, ithe-rackbar in its reciprocatingmotien being rockablewith the sleeve llto'accommodateitself to the rotary movement of the pin 38.

Theme of therack and pinion driveionthe ieeding-=rolls allows a veryrapid feed-motion to -be obtained to increasethe production of theczmachine, .as Well as every positive and exact ;;mcvement .of thefoilto the amount .or extent :Iequiredmrany stamping operation, withoutlia-hi1ity'nf clogging of :the foil or injury'ithereto. eBy-radjustmentwof the crank pin the range of 'unovement of the. rack bar:maybe varied-and --de,termine,d to an exact :degree, to "Mary :.Itheamount..of foil fed up fonuseas requiredaf-or any :stampingnction.

.;As. before: stated, :provision may he. made: for ".ieedingxanyznumberof.-.foi1 ;strips,. item :oneeto ethtee :cr ;;=incre, ;;to ethe stamping:maehine, rand :qmoti'on; accurately determined :by Lascale i. .7 itscrank disc :33, which range of iced. :motion .of .-;the coil' springs15,2.

that :in the-:present i tance,irprensicnxisumade :foriffeeding threesuchzstrinsaat 2 the same. orwdifferent degrees aeco timencandzrto n ntotithe amount or. portion Qfrfifi-OhZtO be usedzin ia stampin operationfind/9174M the zreleztivez pcsit c of a the: foil material {to :be.rirnpressed :nipnn V the book :scover'ior ether antlcletypdifferent:emboss- .iHgIDOITtiOIIS'Of theidiezorrdies. It willibezundertood that byadiustmenthof thexhlocksfiilruarryi-ng the crank; :pins 38,2470; settheypinsrradially to the same .or difierentrpositions, eachmacki-ibarmay. .:be J caused to: havegany- :desired-srange'iufi-ifeed "ion may:,be :the. same '2'01'1idifierentewithsitespect't'to the rack-barsmf thesets. i In :othertwcrdsnuarihabler'rack :and;pinionadriverdetaicesi-torlztheifeed rolls are provided .;to govern :theceding sections .ofthe rolls to aceuraztelygfeed one or mcreastrips of'ioil to the: exactdegreerorzdegrees-required-ito suit the? stamping die,which 1. not only sinsures rapid ioperation but-ta great sayingin foil.';sEig. 18 illustrates diagrammatically andcexemulificatively a feedgacticngimwhichzthe :respectiyestrips a, .21)" and c aare ;.:moue dtoidiflf'erentrideerees; =to

' bring unused portions. ,ofthastrips into-{stamping positions:;beneathdifferent'iimpressiennportions 3a, 3b,";and tczoi theedieti.Bmadiustment of the "actuating gcrank pin .of any-mfsthezs rack bars to.(as neutral gDOSitiOIIIiII-fWhiOh itsicrankedisk willturn idly,the-:rack bar'lmayvibe thI'QWlllQflt of action, ;so :that any 3.0118aDTT'tWO :Qf fithe strip feed devices may beiused without the: others.

The drive gearing;:fonpericdically driuingzithe rack and :pinion,denices-zzandameans; for controlling thecacticn ":of ithfi zdriize;gearing twill mow beedescribed.

J'Qur-naled inawalltyofgthe teederzanda bracket .48 attached-theretozisra .driave shaft-sail. drive pul1ey 49iisloosely meuntedronE-filfiBXG'ffiQliWhiOh is fast 20.11 :the shaft, :saidzisleeve rhayingaaIlfiSk 1 fiangeii). -.'Ihe:pul1eyiis fcrmedzwithxsccketsf 15 Icontaining; coil springs-152' and; thezilange with enacting-.-ball1-;-seats 1 5.3, end .:'bal1s 1153 mare chem partially initheseats .-and;=socke.ts; 502% its icou'nle therpulley and sleeve.egethenzby the: pressure :The :pulley, which zs-is driven by :a belt ras :fmmethe motor 21:3, sisathus normally connected textile-shaft Joyce;:bai release clutch;-wherebyitheishaftjs:adaptedito;zhesdriven in theiiroper difificfiflnitwhfinIithdh'IlQtfll.jisl'ill operation.lnthezevent, however;thatzithegmachine should :become-zclogged #01 theunctiqngof the shaft arrested-by -any;eobstruction;li-n the machine, thehalls -will the zdisplacedxrfrem ithe seatstiandinto the sockets, thusallowing the pulley :to run :iree to :::prevent .:.damage 1 to themachine.

shaft. carries;-a2drivepinionrfifitwhich meshes witha.:gear:;56;1oqsely:;mcunted icnitheaendzof a transverse :transmissicnshaft-A51 ie'quiznaled; in

.the --w,al1-: 5, :said :shaft heingjijnurnalednat its I ioppcsite endin :tthe 1 wall '16. and; ;-plate :35. :Eilhe gear 4 56-:mounted;on:ithe1 first-named end :Of the shaft 51 is adapted to be driven bypinion 55-t0 'fiear' 56.has:sa-zclutch:iface providetl srithaan 7annular series of beveled clutch teeth 63 each provided with a shoulder63' arranged to lie in the path of the free end of a clutch dog 64pivotally mounted at its opposite end, as at 65, in a longitudinalrecess 66 formed in the shaft 51, the dog being normally under pressureof a spring 61 tending to swing it outwardly to cause its free end toproject radially from the shaft beyond the recess. The free end of thedog has a seat face 68 normally engaged by the beveled outer end 69 of asliding latch 16. The dog 64 is adapted, when free to swing outward, toengage a tooth 63 of gear 56 to couple said gear to the shaft and effectthe driving of the shaft for a working operation of the strip feedingdevices, but when the dog is engaged by the latch I6 it will be heldretracted and out of the path of the teeth 63 so that, although theshaft 48 and gears 55 and 56 may be continuously driven, shaft 51' willremain idle until the dog 64 is released by the latch 16 and engages oneof the teeth 63 to couple the gear 56 and shaft 51 together. On theshaft 5'! is also mounted a double cam embodying a cam member ll havinga 90 cam rib or portion 12 and a cam member '16 having a cam lockingrecess M adapted to be engaged by a stop roller 15 on one end of asliding detent or looking plunger 76 mounted in a guide casing 11 on thebottom of the motor bed and normally urged to engaging position by aspring 18. Latch 10 is mounted in a guide casing 19 and normally urgedoutward to locking position by a spring 19 and said latch is connectedto the armature core 86 of an electric solenoid 8|. The solenoid and amicro-switch 82 are arranged in the controlling circuit IS. The solenoidand detent as well as the latch are preferably mounted on the undersideof the motor bed to form therewith and with the motor, and theinstrument board and its attachments, if desired, a readily attachableand detachable unit. The lever member 83 of the micro-switch 82 isarranged so as to be periodically engaged and released by the cam rib 12of cam member 1 I. The circuit I8 includes the solenoid coil,themicroswitch and three plug-in sockets l5, l6 and I7 adapted to beengaged, respectively, as hereinbefore stated, by a connector plug I5 ona cord or conductor leading from a power circuit or source of currentsupply, a connector plug I6 on a cord or conductor leading from themotor, and a connector plug ll leading from a timer, as previouslystated, mounted on the stamping machine. This timer may consist of amicroswitch member i9 arranged so as to be periodical- 1y closed andopened by an operating or controlling cam or element 20 arranged on oractuated by some suitable part of the running gear of the stampingmachine, so that the feeder will be operated in synchronism or timedaccord with the'stamping die of the stamping machine.

Having described in general the working op stations of the several partsof the feeder, the operation of the stamping machine and feeder may bebriefly described as follows:

Assuming that the stamping machine is running with the work to beembossed resting on the platen, that the foil feed motor is in operationwith the pulley 49 running idly, that that portion of the circuitincluding the motor is in connection with the source of current, thatthe foil strips are arranged for unused portions of the strips to be fedup, and that the timer switch l9, which operates once on each workingcycle of the stamping machine, is about to be closed by member 20 toconnect that portion of the circuit I8 containing the solenoid 8|, andnormally closed by the micro-switch 82, with the source of current, itwill be understood that on the closing of the switch is the solenoidwil1 be energized to retract the latch 10, whereupon the dog 64 willengage the clutch member 63 to set the shaft 51 in motion. When thisshaft begins to turn, the rib 12 on the cam H engages and moves themicro-switch lever 83 and actuates the micro-switch 82 which breakssolenoid circuit, causing the solenoid to release the latch I6 on a turnso that thereafter the free end of the latch will travel in contact withthe surface of the shaft 51 until the shaft has made one completerotation when the latch will again engage and retracts the dog to stopthe motion of the shaft 51 and operation of the feeder. The use of themicro-switch allows a quick stopping action to be obtained at theinstant the foil strips are brought up to the exact impression positionfor each strip. The setting of the shaft 57 in motion causes movement ofcam member [3 to withdraw its locking recess M from engagement with theroller 15 of the detent I6 and to hold the detent retracted until therecess 14 again comes into register with the roller, whereupon thedetent will be projected into locking engagement with the recess to lockthe shaft 51 and the strip feeders against casual motion and inretracted position, at the instant the rotation of the shaft 51 ceasesat the end of a strip feeding operation in readiness for the nextsucceeding strip feeding operation of the stamping machine and feeder.The setting of the shaft 51 into motion effects actuation of the rackand pinion strip feeding devices, which on their forward strokes rotatethe sets of rolls 24 and 25 for a feed action and then return on an idlestroke or traverse back to normal position, such idle traverse beingpermitted by their one-way clutch connections with the rollers.

It will be observed that in my machine the construction and arrangementis such that the drive shaft, transmission shaft, crank disks, andgearing for operating the disks are disposed and supported at the upperportion of the feeder casing in spaced relation longitudinally of thecasing, while the sets of feed rolls are disposed and supported at thelower portion of the casing below the first named parts and likewise inspaced relation longitudinally of the feeder casing, and that the drivepulley 49 is mounted with the drive shaft at one side of the casing,while the crank disks, their drive gears and the rack and pinionconnections between the disks and feed rolls are disposed wholly at theopposite side of the casing. This arrangement adapts the feeder to bemounted on a conventional stamping machine having a stationary die and aplaten movable upwardly toward and downwardly from the die so that allparts of the feeder are arranged at a low level for ready accessibilityin inspecting, cleaning, repairing and adjusting them to keep the feederin proper working order and to permit of the feed of the foil stripshorizontally so that no portions of the strips either before or afterimpressions are made can come in contact with and catch in or otherwiseinterfere with the gearing or control elements of the feeder. Thedescribed construction and arrangement of the transmission gears andcrank disks at the same side of the feeder casing also permits of theconvenient ad J'ustment of the crank pins of the crank disks in during apredetermined portion of the working movement of the transmission shaftand then interrupting the circuit to effect its deenergization andrender the clutch device inactive.

5. In a foil feeder for printing or stamping machines, foil feed rolls,a motor driven drive shaft, transmission means including a transmissionshaft rotated once on each cycle of operation of the machine forperiodically operating the feed rolls, an automatically acting clutchfor connecting and disconnecting said shafts. an electric circuitincluding a latch to normally hold the clutch retracted, a solenoid torelease the latch, a timer operated by and in synchronism with thestamping machine to periodically open and close the circuit, and aninterrupter in the circuit normally maintaining the circuit in conditionto be energized by the timer and controlled by the transmission means togovern the action of the solenoid while the timer is in action to keepthe circuit energized for a period while the transmission shaft isrotating and then interrupt it to deenergize the solenoid.

6. In a foil feeder for printing or stamping machines, feed rolls, amotor driven drive shaft, periodically operated means for operating therolls including a transmission element, a normally inactive clutchdevice automatically movable to clutching position when free for actionto connect said element with the drive shaft.

a solenoid operated holding device for normally holding the clutchdevice from action and releasing it for action, an electric circuitincluding the solenoid, means automatically operated by the stampingmachine and controlling the circuit to energize the solenoid toretractthe holding device so as to release the clutch device for actionto start the transmission element in motion, and means in the circuitnormally maintaining said circuit in condition to be energized by thetimer and controlled by movement of the transmission element to maintainsuch condition of the circuit to keep the solenoid energized during apredetermined portion of the working movement of the transmissionelement and then causing its deenergization to render the clutch deviceinactive.

7. In a foil feeder for printing or stamping machines, foil feed rolls,a motor driven drive shaft, transmission means including a transmissionshaft for periodically operating the feed rolls, an automatically actingclutch for connecting and disconnecting said shafts, a latch to normallyhold the clutch retracted, a normally open electric circuit having twobranches, a solenoid in said circuit operable when energized to releasethe latch and a switch device normally connecting the circuit branchesto adapt the circuit when closed to energize the solenoid, a timergoverned in action by the stamping machine for periodically closing andopening said circuit, and means controlled by the transmission means andcontrolling the action of the switch device to first open it at acertain time period in the orbit of rotation of the transmission shaftand then release it to permit it to close at a later time period in theorbit of rotation of the transmission shaft.

8. In a foil feeder for printing and stamping machines, feed rolls, amotor driven drive shaft, periorically operated means for operating therolls including a transmission shaft, a' normally inactive clutch devicefor connecting said transmission shaft with and disconnecting it fromthe drive shaft, a normally open electric circuit, a solenoid operatedlatch device in said circuit for normally holding the clutch device fromaction and releasing it for action, an electric circuit including thesolenoid, means automatically operating on each cycle of operation ofthe stamping machine for controlling the circuit said means including adevice for closing the circuit to energize the solenoid to release theclutch device to start the transmission shaft in motion and alsoincluding a device normally maintaining the circuit in condition to beclosed by the first mentioned device and controlled by movement of thetransmission shaft to keep the solenoid energized during a portion ofthe orbit of rotation of the transmission shaft and then causing itsdeenergization to render the clutch device inactive, an automatic detentengageable with the transmission shaft at the end of its workingmovement to hold said shaft when at rest against casual rotation, andmeans for retracting said detent when the shafts are clutched together.

9. In a foil feeder for printing or stamping machines, the combinationof a casing or frame, a drive shaft journaled on the frame at one sidethereof, a transmission shaft journaled on and extending horizontallyacross the frame, a train of gears at the opposite side of the framecomprising a primary drive gear on the transmission shaft, a pluralityof secondary drive gears journaled on the frame and intermediate spacingand motion transmitting gears arranged between and serially connectingsaid drive gears with one another and spacing the same from each otherin a direction longitudinally of the frame, a plurality of sets of feedrolls extending transversely of and journaled on the frame below thelevel of said gears and in spaced relation to each other longitudinallyof the frame, rack and pinion devices having one-way clutches connectingthe respective drive gears with the respective sets of rolls at thesecond named side of the frame, whereby said gears and rack and piniondevices are mounted in following order at one and the same side of theframe above sets of rolls arranged to feed a plurality of foil stripslongitudinally of the frame below the level of the transmission shaftand the train of gears driving the rack and pinion devices therefrom, aclutch device for connecting the drive shaft with the adjacent end ofthe transmission shaft, and means mounted on the frame for throwing theclutch device into and out of action to periodically connect thetransmission shaft with the drive shaft and disconnect it therefrom.

10. In a foil feeder for printing or stamping machines, the combinationof a casing or frame, a drive shaft journaled on the frame at one sidethereof, a transmission shaft journaled on and extending horizontallyacross the frame, a train of gears at the opposite side of the framecomprising a primary drive gear on the transmission shaft, a pluralityof secondary drive gears journaled on the frame and intermediate spacingand motion transmitting gears arranged between and serially connectingsaid drive gears with one another and spacing the same from each otherin a direction longitudinally of the frame, a plurality of sets of feedrolls extending transversely of and journaled on the frame below thelevel of said gears and in spaced relation to each other longitudinallyof the frame, rack and pinion devices having one-way clutches connectingthe respective drive gears with the respective sets of rolls at thesecond named side of the frame, whereby said gears and rack and piniondevices are mounted in following order at one and the same side of theframe above sets of rolls arranged to feed a plurality of foil stripslongitudinally of the frame below the level of the transmission shaftand train of gears, a clutch device for connecting the drive shaft withthe adjacent and of the transmission shaft, and means mounted at theupper portion of the frame above the level of the rolls andsubstantially in the same horizontal plane as the transmission shaft forthrowing the clutch device into and out of action to periodicallyconnect the transmission shaft with the drive shaft and disconnect ittherefrom.

11. In a foil feeder for printing or stamping machines, the combinationof a casing or frame, a drive shaft journaled on the frame at one sidethereof, a transmission shaft journaled on and extending horizontallyacross the frame, a train of gears at the opposite side of the framecomprising a primary drive gear on the transmission shaft, a pluralityof secondary drive gears journaled on the frame and intermediate spacingand motion transmitting gears arranged between and serially connectingsaid drive gears with one another and spacing the same from each otherin a direction longitudinally of the frame, a plurality of sets of feedrolls extending transversely of and journaled on the frame below thelevel of said gears and in spaced relation to each other longitudinallyof the frame, rack and pinion devices having one-way clutches connectingthe respective drive gears with the respective sets of rolls at thesecond named side of the frame, whereby said gears and rack and piniondevices are mounted in following order at one and the same side of theframe above sets of rolls arranged to feed a plurality of foil stripslongitudinally of the frame below the level of the transmission shaftand train of gears, a clutch device for connecting the drive shaft withthe adjacent end of the transmission shaft, and automatic electriccontrol means mounted on the frame above the level of the rolls andcomprising a clutch device for connecting the drive shaft with anddisconnecting it from the transmission shaft, an electric circuitincluding a solenoid for throwing the clutch into and out of action whenthe circuit is respectively energized and deenergized, a switch actuatedby the stamping machine on each cycle of operation thereof to energizesaid circuit, and a switch operated by the transmission shaft, forthereafter interrupting said circuit.

12. In a foil feeder for printing or stamping machines, the combinationof a horizontally disposed casing or frame, a drive shaft journaled onthe frame at one side thereof, a transmis--. sion shaft journaled on andextending horizontally across the frame, a train of gears at theopposite side of the frame comprising a primary drive gear on thetransmission shaft, a plurality of secondary drive gears journaled onthe frame and intermediate spacing and motion transmitting gearsconnecting said drive gears and spacing the same from each other in adirection longitudinally of the frame, a plurality of sets of feed rollsextending transversely of and journaled on the frame below the level ofsaid gears and in spaced relation to each other longitudinally of theframe, rack and pinion devices having one-way clutches connecting therespective drive gears with the respective sets of rolls at the secondnamed side of the frame, whereby said gears and rack and pinion devicesare mounted in following order at one and the same side of the frame andwhereby the sets of rolls are arranged to feed a plurality of foilstrips longitudinally of the frame below the level of the transmissionshaft and train of gears, a clutch device for connecting the drive shaftwith the adjacent end of the transmission shaft, and automatic electriccontrol means mounted on the frame above the level of the rolls andincluding a solenoid for throwing the clutch device into and out ofaction and switches operated respectively by the stamping machine and bythe transmission shaft to periodically energize and deenergize thesolenoid.

HAROLD KENNETH WAGAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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